Phonograph record and method of producing the same



- or even a thin sheet of paper Patented July 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,635,862 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT QUAIT, 33., O1! BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB 01 ONE-HALF '10 JACOB I.

- EHBLICH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PHONOGRAPH RECORD METHOD 0] PRODUCING THE sen.

Ito Drawing.

This invention relates to pressed soundrecords, formed either as discs or otherwise, whose record-grooves are either laterallyundulatory or vertically-undulatory, and their usual depth is not more than, say, approximately three one-thousandths of an inch, although the depth may be somewhat more or less, as desired. Broadly stated, the invention comprises the new thermoplastic record-material hereinafter set forth, which may be, and preferably is, used as the surface-coating of a suitable core (which latter need not be, and preferably is not, of thermoplastic material also the new record-tablets or recor s having an outer coating of said record-material. The invention comprises further a new record-tablet or record, having between the core and said new surface-coating, an intermediate coating, having a hi her point of plasticity than the surfacelm; and also a tablet or record having, adhering to the outer surface of said new surface-coating, a thin coating of similar composition to said intermediate coatin yThe invention consists further of the thin and flexible and rollable recordtablet hereinafter described. The invention consists further of the new process of producing such tablets and records; and also of the various features and steps hereinafter set forth in the appended claims.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, applied to discs; but it must be understood that the invention is not limited to the described features with regard to ingredients, steps, and so forth, as hereinafter disclosed.

The core consists referably of a com- 'pacted body or disc of fibrous material, such as pasteboard, cardboard, laminated paper, fabric, or the like. The core may in any desired manner be rendered waterproof or at least sufficiently repellant to the solvents used, as by treating'it with a suitable waterproofing prepara. tion, preferably of the type which is applied in the form of a waterbase solution. Whatever type of waterproofing has already been or ,may be applie the treated core is allowed or caused to dry out thoroughly, as in a vacuum or in an oven, or by resorting to both expedients, until substantially all the moisture (water or solvent) has evaporated, leaving a thoroughly-dry moisture and sol- Application fled July 10,

solvent (as indicated above); or

1983. Serial No. 850,736.

vent-repelling core, hereinafter referred to comprehensively as the treated core.

For the intermediate coating (when used), a substantially pure cellulose-ester, such as nitro-cellulose or cellulose-acetate, or a mixture of such esters, is dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as acetone, ethyl-acetate, methyl-acetone, or some mixture of such or similar solvents; the solution is preferably applied to both faces and also the edge of the treated core in any desired manner, as with a brush or roller, or by dipping or spraying; and the applied solution is then allowed or caused (as above indicated to dry out until the solvent has substantlally evaporated. This intermediate coating is not designed to receive the impressions of the pressing-matrix; and may therefore be quite thin, say, a roximately only one or two one-thousamfilis of an inch thick. This coating serves to unite the subsequently-applied surface-coating and the treated core, besides serving certain other advantageous purposes hereinafter set forth.

For the surface-coating, a cellulose-ester, or a mixture of cellulose-esters, containing (or formed from one or more substances containing) camphor-gum or camphor-gum substitute (or some other suitable gum or resin or a mixture thereof, with or Without camphor-gum), is dissolved in a' suitable a pure cellulose-ester may be thus dissolved, and a suitable proportion of gum-contentadded to the solution. Then a suitable quantity of finely-comminuted rotten stone, pumice, or other abrasive, is thoroughly mixed into the solution. Preferabl this gum-containing ester is thinned with a greater proportion of solvent than is the aforesaid cellulose ester which constitutes the intermediate coating. Accordingly when'such less-diluted solution of cellulose-ester; is applied (to form the intermediate coating), its solvent is less prone to enter the minute interstices of the core; and, when the intermediate coating has dried out, it. retards entry of the (thinner) solution of gum-containing ester applied to form the outer coating. Said gum-containing solution is applied to one or both faces of the pre a-red core in any desired manner, as alrea y indicated; and the a plied solution is then allowed or cause (as above). to dry out until the solvent has substantially evaporated. Applicant has not yet verified the fact, but has reason to believe that the solvent of the surface-coating acts to some extent upon the outer particles of the intermediate coating to which it is applied, resulting in---a gradual blending of the adjacent particles of the two coatings and a substantially perfect juncture of the two coatings themselves. Inasmuch as the matrix-ridges are to be impressed into, and retained by, this surfacecoating, the latter may be as much as approximately some three to ten one-thousandths of an inch in thickness, or even thicker or thinner, if desired. To attain the desired thickness, there may be successive applications of this last-named mixture.

The resultant article, comprising the treated core, the intermediate coating with its relatively-higher point of plasticity and the surface-coating with its relatively-lower plastic point, constitutes the completed record-tablet, and is now ready to have recordgrooves pressed into either or both of its faces. The temperature resorted .to in the pressing-operation should of course .be amply sufficient to render the surface-coating sufficiently plastic; but preferably is insufficient to render the intermediate coatingfirst instance; and even a fairly. satisfactory record-surface will rapidly deteriorate Where too much gum is present. For ex ample, it has been foundthat ordinary celluloid contains too great a gum-content to constitute a satisfactory material for forming the thermoplastic outer coating. Therefore, where the present specification and claims state that the solution for forming said outer coating should contain a suitable amount of gum-content, such statement is to be understood as meaning an appreciably smaller proportion of gum-content than present heretofore in ordinary celluloid for record purposes. A

Said intermediate coating ser es, as stated, to prevent undue loss of the ixture applied to form the surface-coating. Further, the dry intermediate coating, especially when essentially free from gum-content, does not become plastic within the range of temperatures employedin'the wellknown pressing-operation, and therefore in this art is practically non-thermoplastic.

the intermediate coating (or coatings, if

there be one on each. face of the core) serves as a more rigid backing for the thenplastic surface-coating. At any rate, bet ter impressions are obtained throughout the entire area. of the record-zone, where such intermediate coating is present. The intermediate coating further serves to impart additional stability to the tablet as a whole.

If desired, the core may consist of a thin sheet of paper or fabric, and the coatin particularly the surface-coating, ma somewhat thinner (for receiving shal ower grooves) than above indicated; indeed, the

surface-coating (and the intermediate coat- 1 ing) may be applied upon only one face of the core. In such case, the records pressed from such tablets are ver flexible and able, and may even be rol ed 11 for mailing in a tube. The composition 0 said coating is sufficiently tough 'yet pliable, and adhere pliso faithfully, that there is little or no tendency to cracking when rolled; and yet, when unrolled, the disc may resume approximately its normal plane.

If desired, the aforesaid intermediate coating may be dispensed with, and the aforesaid mixture for the surface-coating may be applied directly upon either or both faces of the treated core.

Again, if desired, a thin film of pure cellulose-ester (with little or no gum-content) may be applied upon the outer face of said surface-coatin and in this case the completed tablet is subjected, in the ressingoperation, to a temperature not su cient to render said fihn fully plastic, the grooves being impressed into the now-plastic gumcontaining coating covered by said film, and the film being somewhat stretched to consti tute an indented surfacing which adheres securely to the impressed grooves.

When dry, the aforesaid coatings, whether without gum-content, or containing gum and abrasive, are transparent. Therefore such printed matter as titles, illustrations, ad vertisements, etc., may be imparted to either or both faces of the core, before said coatings are applied and the record-grooves impressed and such printed matter will be clearly visible through the coating or coatings. But, if desired, some coloring-matterv may be added to either or both ofthe solutions.

The broad invention has thus beenfjdescribed all its details, but only for the sake of clearness. Departures may be made from the described features setforth as'to materials and steps of procedure, modifications may be resorted to, and parts of the invention used to the exclusion of other parts, without in any case de arting from the spirit. of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. v The invention having thus been fully described. what is claimed is: I I

l. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of printing upon a coreot' fibrous material such as cardboard, treating said printed core with a water-soluble waterproofing,

dr \'ing it out. applying to said dry treated core a solution of pure transparent and essentially gum-free cellulose-ester, drying out the same to constitute a transparent and practically non-thermoplastic intermediate coating, applying to'said dry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of transparent cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coating that. will become sufliciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressingoperation, then underheat impressing the ridges of a record-matrix into said surfacecoating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed record with its aforesaid printing still-visible.

2. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of treating a core of fibrous material such as cardboard with a water-soluble waterproofing, drying it out. applying to said dry treated core a solution of pure and essentially gum-free cellulose-ester, drying out the same to constitute an intermediate and practically nonthermoplastic coating, applying to said dry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester'containing a suitable amount' of gum-content, drying v the same out to constitute a surface-coating that will become sufficiently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressingoperation, then under heat impressing the ridges of a record-matrix into said surfacecoating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed record.

, 3. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of printing upon a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, treating said rinted core with a water-soluble waterproo ng, drying it out, applying to said dry core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coating that will become sutliciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-0 eration, then'underheat impressing the'ri of a record-matrix into said surface-coating, and

cooling the same to constitute a pressed record with its aforesaid printing still visible.

4. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of treating a core of fibrous material such as cardboard with a*-water-soluble waterproofing, drying it out. applying to said dry core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester, containing a suitable amount of gum-content. drying out the same't-o, constitute a surface-coating that will become sufficiently plastic under the heat and pres- :sure of the usual pmssing-operation, then transparent cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, drying out the same to constitute a transparent surfacecoating that will become sufficiently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation, theu'undcr heat impressing the ridges of a record-matrix into said surface-coating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed sound-record with-the aforesaid printing still visible.

6. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of printing upon a core offibrous material such as cardboard, waterproofing and drying out said printed core, a plying to said dry core a mixture 'of'an a rasive in a solution of transparent cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, drying out the same to constitute a transparent surfacecoating that will become sutficientl plastic, under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-o ration, then under heat impressmg the ri ges of a record-matrix into said surface-coating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed sound-record with the aforesaid rinting still visible.

7. The erein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of waterproofing and drying out a score of fibrous material such as cardboard, applying to said dry treated core a solution of pure and essentially gum-freecellulose-ester, drying out the same to constitute an intermediate and practical] non-thermoplastic coating, applyin to said dry coated core a mixture 0 an a rasive in a solution of collulose-ester containing a sutiicient amount of gum-content, drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coating that will become sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation, and under heat impressing the ridges of a record-matrix into said surface-coating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed record.

8. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which consists of waterproofing and drying out a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, applying to said dry core a mixture of an a rasive in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a sufiicient amount of gum-content, drymg out the same to constitute a surface-coating that will become sufficiently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation, then under heat impressing the ridges of a record-matrix into said surface-coating, and cooling the same to constitute a pressed record.

9. The herein-described method of producing sound-records, which comprises applying upon the printed surface of a suitable core a transparent and practically nonthermoplastic intermediate coating, thereafter applying upon said coating a transparent surface-coating that will become sulficiently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation, and finally impressing record-grooves into said outer coatin 10, The herein-described method of producing sound-records which comprises applying upoin t e surface of a suitable core an intermediate and essentially gum-free coating, thereafter applying u on said coating a surface-coating that wil become sufliciently plastic under-the heat and pressure or the usual pressing-operation, and finally impressing record-grooves into said-outer coating.

11. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of printingupon a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, treating said rinted core with a water-soluble waterproo g, drying it out, applying to said dry treated core a solution of ure transparent and essentially gum-free ce ulose-ester, drying out the same to constitute a transparent and practically non-thermoplastic intermediate coating of relatively high melting-point applying to said dry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of transparent cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coatin that will become sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usualpressing-operation.

12. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of treating a core of fibrous material such as cardboard with a water-soluble waterproofing,

drying it out, applying to said dry treated non-thermoplastic coating, applying to saiddry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying the same out to constitute a surface-coating that will become sufliciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation.

13. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of printing upon a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, treating said printed core with a water-soluble waterproofing, drying it out, applying to said dry core a. mixture of an abrasive in a solution of celluloseester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coating 'that will become sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation.

14. The herein-described method 011 producing record-tablets, which consists of treating a core of fibrous material such as cardboard with a water-soluble waterproofing, drying it out, applying to said dry core a mixture of an abrasive. in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying out the same to constitute a surface-coatin that will become s ufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation.

15. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of printing upon a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, waterproofing and drying out the same, applying to saidjdry treated core a solution of ure transparent and essentially m-free ce lulose-ester, drying out the same toconstitute a transparent and practically non-thermoplastic intermediate coating, applying to said dry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of transparent cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying out the same to constitute a transparent surface-coating that will become sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation.

16. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of printing upona core of fibrous material such as cardboard, waterproofing and drying out said printed core, applying to said dry core a mixture of an abrasive'in'a solution of transparent and essentially gum-free cellulose-ester containing a "suitable amount of gum-content and drying out the same to constitute a transparent surfacb-coating that will become sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressingoperation. r

17. The herein-described method of proneaaeea ducing record-tablets, which consists-of waterproofing and drying out a core of fibrous material such as cardboard, applying to said dry treated core a solution of pure and essentially gum-free cellulose-ester, drying out the same to constitute an intermediate and practically non-thermoplastic coating applymg to said dry coated core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content, and drying out the same to constitute a trans arent surface-coating having a sulficient y-low melting-point to be rendered plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressing-operation.

18. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which consists of waterproofing and drying out a core of fibrous material 'such as cardboard, applying to said dry core a mixture of an abrasive in a solution of cellulose-ester containing a suitable amount of gum-content and drying out the same to constitute a surface-coating having a sufliciently-low melting-pointto be rendered plastic under the heat and pressure 7 of the usual pressing-operation.

Ill

19. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which comprises applying upon the printed surface of a suitable core a transparent and practically nonthermoplastic intermediate coating, and then applying upon said coating a trans arent surface-coating having a sulficient y-low melting-point to be rendered plastic under the heat and pressure of the usual pressingoperation.

20. The herein-described method of producing record-tablets, which comprises applying upon the surface of a suitable core an intermediate and racticallynon-thermoplastic coating, and t ien applying upon said coating a surface-coating having a sufiiciently-low melting-point to be rendered plastic under the heat and pressure of the. usual pressing-operation.

21. The herein-described sound-record, comprising a moisture-repellant core of fibrous material which has printing upon its surface, a transparent intermediate coating of essentially gum-free cellulose-ester adhering thereto, and a trans arent surfacecoating of cellulose'ester a hering thereto and containing abrasive and also a suitable amount of gran-content to render said coating sufiiciently plastic under the heat and pressure of the pressing-operation, said surface coating having record-grooves located within the depth thereof, and said printing being visible throu 11 said coatings.

22. The hereinescribed soundu'ecord, comprising a moisture-repellant curl of fibrous material which has printing upon its surface, and a. transparent surface-coating of essentially gum-free cellulose-ester secured thereto and containing abrasive and also a "mediate coating of relativel -hi sive and also a suitable amount of um-content to render said coating suflicient y plastic under the heat and pressure -of the usual pressing-operation, said outer coating ha record-grooves located in the depth thereo .24. A resilient androllabl'e' recordtablet comprising a suitable core, a resilient and non-thermoplastic intermediate coating, and

a resilient and thermoplasticsurface-coating suitable to receive and retain record-grooves.

25. The herein described sound record, comprising a suitable core which has printin on its surface, a transparent. and practicafiy non-thermoplastic intermediate coating, a transparent surface-coating of thermoplastic material having recordves located within the depth thereof, said printing being visible through said can 'ngs.

26. The herein described sound record, which comprises a suitable core, an intermeltingpoint, a surface-coating 0 re atively-low melting-point, and record-grooves located entirely within the depth of said surfacecoating.

27, The herein -described recordtablet, comprising a moisture-repellant core of fibrous material which has printing uporr'its surface, a transparent intermediate coating of essentially gum-free oellulose-wter adhering thereto, and a trans arent surface-coating of cellulose-ester hering thereto and containing abrasive and also a suitable amount of gum-content to render it sufficiently plastic under the heat and pressure. of the ressing-operation.

he herein described record tablet,

comprising a moisture-repellant core of fibrous material which has printing upon its surface, and a. transparent surface-coating of cellulose-ester secured thereto and containing abrasive and also suflicient gum to render ing thereto, and a surface-coating of cellu lose-ester adhering thereto and containing abrasive and also a suitable amount of gum;

content to render said surface coating sufficiently plastic under the heat and pressure ing on its suiface, a transparent intermediate and tactically non-thermoplastic coating ofrelatively-high melting-point, and a transparent and sufficiently thermoplastic surfacecoatin of relativel -low melting int.

, comprising a suitable core, an intermediate coating containing an essentially cellulose-ester, and a surface-coatmg containing cellulose-ester having a proportion gum-free of gum content appreciably lower than that of ordinary celluloid.

33. A thin flexible record-disc consisting of a core having a. coating of practically pure e hereinascribed reeor -tablet,

and gum-free cellulose-ester and another 25 ient to be rolled up and to' retain its shape when unrolledr.

34. A record-tablet having a transparent under coating of practically pure and gumfree cellulose-ester, a transparent outer coating of cellulose-ester containin gum and abrasive, and a transparent outsi e film of the first-named ester, said outer coating and film being suitable to receive and retain record-grooves. y

l 35. A record-tablet having an under coating of practically pure and gum-free cellulose-ester, an outer coat' of cellulose-ester containing um and abrasive, and an outside film oft-he rst-named ester, said outer coatand film being rptain record-grooves.

ROBERT QUAIT, JR.

suitable to receive and 

